Safety plug

Claim 2

A safety electrical device comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals projecting forwardly from one end of said housings for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle, a protective cover mounted on said housing for free movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminals within said cover when the terminals are not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said terminals to be inserted in the electrical receptacle while hand gripping said housing, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, said housing having top and bottom sides that extend in forwardly and inwardly tapered relation to each other and which each terminate in an outwardly projecting flange, and said top and bottom housing sides being formed with stepped ledges which together with said outwardly projecting flanges facilitate hand gripping of said device and prevent the hand from slipping off a forward end of said housing during insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle.

Claim 3

The electrical safety device of claim 1 in which said protective cover has outer substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side surfaces adapted for sliding contact with internal substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side walls of said housing.

Claim 4

A safety electrical device comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals projecting forwardly from one end of said housing for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle, said housing including a blade holder within which said terminals are fixed and a separate forward housing member secured in forwardly extending fashion to said blade holder, a protective cover mounted on said housing for movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminals within said cover when the terminals are not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said terminals to be inserted in the electrical receptacle, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, and said forward housing member being formed with outwardly extending flanges on top and bottom sides thereof adjacent a forward end thereof and forwardly and inwardly stepped ledges extending between a rear end of said housing and said flanges for facilitating hand gripping of said device and for preventing the hand from slipping off said housing during insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle.

Claim 5

A safety electrical device comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals projecting forwardly from one end of said housing for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle, said housing including a blade holder within which said terminals are fixed and a separate forward housing member secured in forwardly extending fashion to said blade holder, a protective cover mounted on said housing for movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminals within said cover when the terminals are not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said terminals to be inserted in the electrical receptacle, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, and said forward housing member being formed with outwardly extending flanges on top and bottom sides thereof adjacent a forward end thereof and forwardly and inwardly stepped ledges extending between a rear end of said housing and said flanges for facilitating hand gripping of said device and for preventing the hand from slipping off said housing during insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle.

Claim 6

The electrical safety device of claim 3 in which said biasing means is a coil spring, said blade holder being formed with a forwardly projecting spring retaining post over which a rear portion of said spring is disposed and said protective cover being formed with a rearwardly extending sleeve which extends the length of said protective cover and within which a forward end portion of said spring is disposed.

Claim 7

The electrical safety device of claim 3 in which said safety device is an electrical plug adapter, said terminals having rearwardly projecting ends, and said housing being formed with a pair of socket openings for permitting insertion of male terminals of an electrical plug into said adapter for making electrical contact with rearwardly projecting terminal ends.

Claim 8

The electrical safety device of claim 5 in which said blade holder is formed with rearwardly facing socket chambers communicating with said housing socket openings within which said rearwardly projecting terminal ends are disposed.

Claim 9

The electrical safety device of claim 6 in which said terminals have inwardly biased yoke-shaped rearwardly projecting terminal ends for positively gripping the male terminals of an electrical plug inserted into said socket openings.

Claim 10

The electrical safety device of claim 7 in which said housing includes a rear entry plate formed with said socket openings, said rear entry plate being secured to a rear side of said blade holder.

Claim 11

The electrical safety device of claim 8 in which said blade holder is formed with a rearwardly facing recess, and said rear entry plate is secured within said recess with a rear face thereof in substantially coplanar relation to a rearwardmost end of said blade holder.

Claim 12

The electrical safety device of claim 8 in which said rear entry plate has forwardly extending locating lugs for positioning in closely adjacent relation within said socket chambers of said blade holder for locating the rear entry plate in predetermined relation thereto.

Claim 13

The electrical safety device of claim 10 in which said blade holder has forwardly directed locating flanges for positioning in closely adjacent relation to internal walls of said forward housing member for properly positioning said forward housing member on said blade holder.

Claim 14

A safety electrical device comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals projecting forwardly from one end of said housing for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle, a protective cover mounted on said housing for movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminals within said cover when the terminals are not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said terminals to be inserted in the electrical receptacle, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, said protective cover having outer substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side surfaces adapted for sliding contact with internal substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side walls of said housing, and means for limiting movement of said protective cover between said extended and retracted positions, said movement limiting means including flanges extending outwardly from a rear end of said protective cover at corners defined by said top, bottom and side protective cover surfaces, and flanges extending inwardly from the forward end of said housing at corners defined by said top, bottom, and side housing surfaces which form stop surfaces for engagement by said protective cover corner flanges.

Claim 15

A safety electrical device comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals projecting forwardly from one end of said housing for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle, a protective cover mounted on said housing for movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminals within said cover when the terminals are not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said terminals to be inserted in the electrical receptacle, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, said protective cover having outer substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side surfaces adapted for sliding contact with internal substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side walls of said housing, and means for limiting movement of said protective cover between said extended and retracted positions, said movement limiting means including flanges extending outwardly from a rear end of said protective cover at corners defined by said top, bottom and side protective cover surfaces, and flanges extending inwardly from the forward end of said housing at corners defined by said top, bottom, and side housing surfaces which form stop surfaces for engagement by said protective cover corner flanges.

Claim 16

A safety electrical device comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals projecting forwardly from one end of said housing for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle, a protective cover mounted on said housing for movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminals within said cover when the terminals are not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said terminals to be inserted in the electrical receptacle, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, means for limiting movement of said protective cover between said extended and retracted positions, said movement limiting means including flanges extending outwardly from a rear end of said protective cover at the corners thereof and flanges extending inwardly from the forward end of said housing of the corners thereof for defining stop surfaces for engagement by said protective cover corner flanges, and said housing being formed with outwardly extending flanges on top and bottom sides thereof adjacent a forward end thereof and forwardly and inwardly stepped ledges extending between a rear end of said housing and said flanges for facilitating hand gripping of said device and for preventing the hand from slipping off said housing during insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle.

Claim 17

A safety electrical device comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals projecting forwardly from one end of said housing for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle, a protective cover mounted on said housing for movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminals within said cover when the terminals are not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said terminals to be inserted in the electrical receptacle, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, means for limiting movement of said protective cover between said extended and retracted positions, said movement limiting means including flanges extending outwardly from a rear end of said protective cover at the corners thereof and flanges extending inwardly from the forward end of said housing of the corners thereof for defining stop surfaces for engagement by said protective cover corner flanges, and said housing being formed with outwardly extending flanges on top and bottom sides thereof adjacent a forward end thereof and forwardly and inwardly stepped ledges extending between a rear end of said housing and said flanges for facilitating hand gripping of said device and for preventing the hand from slipping off said housing during insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle.

Claim 18

A safety electrical adapter comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals fixed in said housing and having forwardly projecting ends for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle, said terminals having rearwardly projecting ends, a protective cover mounted on said housing for movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminal ends within said cover when not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said forwardly projecting terminal ends to be inserted in the electrical receptacle, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, and said housing including a blade holder within which said terminals are fixed, a separate forward housing member secured in forwardly extending fashion to said blade holder, and a separate rear entry plate secured to the rear side of said blade holder, said rear entry plate being formed with socket openings for permitting insertion of male terminals of an electrical plug into said adapter for making electrical contact with said rearwardly projecting terminal ends.

Claim 19

A safety electrical adapter comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals fixed in said housing and having forwardly projecting ends for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle, said terminals having rearwardly projecting ends, a protective cover mounted on said housing for movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminal ends within said cover when not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said forwardly projecting terminal ends to be inserted in the electrical receptacle, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, and said housing including a blade holder within which said terminals are fixed, a separate forward housing member secured in forwardly extending fashion to said blade holder, and a separate rear entry plate secured to the rear side of said blade holder, said rear entry plate being formed with socket openings for permitting insertion of male terminals of an electrical plug into said adapter for making electrical contact with said rearwardly projecting terminal ends.

Claim 20

The safety electrical adapter of claim 14 in which said blade holder is formed with rearwardly facing socket chambers communicating with said rear entry plate socket openings within which said rearwardly projecting terminal ends are disposed.

Claim 21

The safety electrical adapter of claim 15 in which said rearwardly projecting terminal ends have inwardly biased yoke-shaped sides for positively gripping the male terminals of an electrical plug inserted into said socket openings.

Claim 22

The safety electrical adapter of claim 15 in which said blade holder is formed with a rearwardly facing recess, and said rear entry plate is secured within said recess with a rear face thereof in substantially coplanar relation to a rearwardmost end of said blade holder.

Claim 23

The safety electrical adapter of claim 15 in which said rear entry plate has forwardly extending locating lugs for positioning in closely adjacent relation within said socket chambers of said blade holder for locating the rear entry plate in predetermined relation thereto.

Claim 24

The safety electrical adapter of claim 14 including means for limiting movement of said protective cover between said extended and retracted positions, said movement limiting means including corner flanges extending outwardly from a rear end of said protective cover and corner flanges extending inwardly from the forward end of said forward housing member for defining stop surfaces for engagement by said protective cover corners.

Claim 25

The safety electrical adapter of claim 19 in which said protective cover has outer substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and said surfaces adapted for sliding contact with internal substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side walls of said forward housing member.

Claim 26

A safety electrical device comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals projecting forwardly from one end of said housing for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle, a protective cover mounted on said housing for movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminals within said cover when the terminals are not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said terminals to be inserted in the electrical receptacle, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, said protection cover having outer substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side surfaces adapted for sliding contact with internal substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side walls of said forward housing member, means for limiting movement of said protective cover between said extended and retracted positions, said movement limiting means including flanges extending outwardly from a rear end of said protective cover at corners from a rear end of said protective cover at corners defined by said top, bottom and side protective cover surfaces and flanges extending inwardly from the forward end of said housing member of the corners thereof for defining stop surfaces for engagement by said protective cover corners, and said housing being formed with outwardly extending flanges on top and bottom sides thereof adjacent a forward end thereof and forwardly and inwardly stepped ledges extending between a rear end of said housing and said flanges for facilitating hand gripping of said device and for preventing the hand from slipping off said housing during insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle.

Claim 27

A safety electrical device comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals projecting forwardly from one end of said housing for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle, a protective cover mounted on said housing for movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminals within said cover when the terminals are not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said terminals to be inserted in the electrical receptacle, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, said protection cover having outer substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side surfaces adapted for sliding contact with internal substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side walls of said forward housing member, means for limiting movement of said protective cover between said extended and retracted positions, said movement limiting means including flanges extending outwardly from a rear end of said protective cover at corners from a rear end of said protective cover at corners defined by said top, bottom and side protective cover surfaces and flanges extending inwardly from the forward end of said housing member of the corners thereof for defining stop surfaces for engagement by said protective cover corners, and said housing being formed with outwardly extending flanges on top and bottom sides thereof adjacent a forward end thereof and forwardly and inwardly stepped ledges extending between a rear end of said housing and said flanges for facilitating hand gripping of said device and for preventing the hand from slipping off said housing during insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle.

Claim 28

A safety electrical device comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals projecting forwardly from one end of said housing for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle said housing comprising a blade holder within which said terminals are fixed and a separate forward housing member secured in forwardly extending fashion to said blade holder, a protective cover mounted on said housing for movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminals within said cover when the terminals are not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said terminals to be inserted in the electrical receptacle, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, said protective cover having outer substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side surfaces adapted for sliding contact with internal substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side walls of said housing, and means for limiting movement of said protective cover between said extended and retracted positions, said movement limiting means including corner flanges extending outwardly from a rear end of said protective cover and corner flanges extending inwardly from the forward end of said housing for defining stop surfaces for engagement by said protective cover corners.

Claim 29

A safety electrical device comprising a housing, a pair of electrical terminals projecting forwardly from one end of said housing for insertion into and removal from an electrical receptacle said housing comprising a blade holder within which said terminals are fixed and a separate forward housing member secured in forwardly extending fashion to said blade holder, a protective cover mounted on said housing for movement between an extended position enclosing said forwardly projecting terminals within said cover when the terminals are not inserted in an electrical receptacle and a retracted position which permits said terminals to be inserted in the electrical receptacle, means interposed between said housing and protective cover for biasing said cover toward said extended position, said protective cover having outer substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side surfaces adapted for sliding contact with internal substantially uninterrupted top, bottom and side walls of said housing, and means for limiting movement of said protective cover between said extended and retracted positions, said movement limiting means including corner flanges extending outwardly from a rear end of said protective cover and corner flanges extending inwardly from the forward end of said housing for defining stop surfaces for engagement by said protective cover corners.

Claim 30

The electrical safety device of claim 22 in which said safety device is an electrical plug adapter, said terminals having rearwardly projecting ends, and said housing being formed with a pair of sockets for permitting insertion of male terminals of an electrical plug into said adapter for making electrical contact with rearwardly projecting terminals ends.

Claim 31

The electrical safety device of claim 23 in which said blade holder is formed with rearwardly facing socket chambers communicating with said housing sockets within which said rearwardly projecting terminal ends are disposed.